Page 107 of The Summer of Christmas

“I think so.”

“You were pretty out of it when I showed up that night. I thought everyone was hanging out here, but I arrived too late. I walked in and you started calling me Dad.”

“I was in a bad place.”

“I sensed that.”

“You called me son. You listened to my problems. You gave me advice. Good advice.”

“I’m a father. I have a son about your age. I told you what I thought you needed to hear.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Nick smiled. He and Trevor had an awkward “dad hug.” Nick walked back to Ivy.

“What was that about?”

“Just catching up with an old friend.”

Ivy let it go at that. “Did you see that?” She indicated Carol and Amari in a deep conversation. “I bet my sister is going to write about Amari next.”

“There they are. My favorite Christmas couple.” Drew’s voice arrived a second before he did. He was all smiles. “Congrats, Ivy. The studio loves the new ending.” Ivy was thrilled. Drew turned to Nick. “I guess we have you to thank for that. Congratulations.” He shook Nick’s hand. “I’m very happy for you both.” Drew wandered off to make the rounds but wound up spending a lot of time with Rory, the reporter.

Denise and Kenny came over to talk with Ivy and Nick. Ivy offered Denise a drink. She refused. Ivy shrieked.

“What are you shrieking about?” Denise wondered.

“You’re pregnant!”

“Nick, I told you I wanted to tell her.”

“I didn’t.”

Ivy had figured it out on her own. She had shared many drinks with Denise in her life. If Denise wasn’t drinking it could only mean one thing. A baby. She gave Denise a celebratory hug. Ivy noticed Vera across the room by the food table. She excused herself and walked over to Vera.

“Ivy!”

“Vera, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Especially for dealing with me,” she gushed.

“It was fun. Always authentic,” Vera admitted.

“Good luck onCaptain Midnight. It’s kind of cool. You’re going from our little movie to a blockbuster,” Ivy said.

“I know why you turned it down. But for me, I figured it was a good career move,” Vera explained.

“It is,” she agreed. “And it helps all the other women directors out there.”

“Which you’re going to be one day,” Vera said as she hugged Ivy.

At that moment, Olivia and Ella told everyone to settle down. They were going to announce the winner of the Team Nick/Team Drew betting pool. The winner was Vera! She had bet a trifecta: last scene, last day of shooting, and Nick.

“What can I say? I like a happy ending. Especially one where I net four grand!” Vera grinned.

Ivy found Nick. People were taking pictures of them. Selfies. Group photos.

“I feel like I’m at a wedding,” she said.

“Not yet.” Nick smiled and jumped up on the bar. He clanged a metal spoon on the Governor’s Cup. The dinging of the cup got everyone’s attention. “Hi, thanks, there’s something I need to say.” Everyone got quiet. Even Ivy wondered what he was about to do. “I need someone up here with me. Ivy…” She took his hand. Nick pulled her onto the bar. “Everyone here kind of knows the story of me and Ivy.” Cheers. “Without her, I never would have come up with our Poison Ivy wine.”

“And without him, I wouldn’t have written this movie.”